Refinery awards scholarships to seniors

The Community Advisory Panel of the WRB Wood River Refinery, operated by Phillips 66, recently awarded scholarships to five high school seniors.

The $1,000 scholarships are designed to help students offset the cost of tuition at a community college, university or technical school. To participate in the scholarship contest, seniors were required to demonstrate drive, commitment and leadership within the community.

Student recipients were presented with the scholarships during award recognition ceremonies at their schools. The five recipients are:

Meredith Buller, of Civic Memorial High School, daughter of Tim and Michelle Buller.

Tori Covington, of East Alton-Wood River Community High School, daughter of Carrie Alesandrini.

Bradley Higdon, of Alton High School, son of John and Jane Higdon.

Emma Morrissey, of Alton High School, daughter of Dan and Kimara Morrissey.

Allison Wyrsch, of Civic Memorial High School, daughter of Herbert and Frances Wyrsch.

The students were also honored May 11 at the refinery’s annual Community Leaders’ Dinner. The dinner allows the region’s community leaders to tour the refinery, interact with the refinery’s management as well as panel members and learn more about key issues and initiatives at the refinery. This year 115 leaders attended the dinner, tour and presentation.

Since the establishment of the scholarship in 2008, more than $29,000 has been awarded.